Style: Imperial Stout

ABV: 12.0 IBU: 85.0

91/100
Aroma: 11
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 18
Mouthfeel: 4

Surly Brewing Co. Darkness 2016

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What the brewers say

“This massive Russian imperial stout brings waves of flavors: chocolate, cherries, raisins, coffee, and toffee, finishing with a non-traditional dose of aroma hops.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Pumpernickel biscuit, with rising bread dough yeast notes. Dates and bright stone fruit up front, with slightly hot-ferment aromas and booze coming in at the back. The medium-low roast is evident, with an ever-slight chocolate and malt sweetness.”

Flavor: “This beer is a nice balance between dark, sweet chocolate, and roasted malt. It has a rich toasted bread-crust character, malty roast, and tobacco leaves. Slightly earthy hops are present on the sides of the tongue, with small alcohol warmth at the back, and a lingering roast astringency. Some backend fruity esters emerge as it warms. A nice body carries the beer well, and the carbonation is spot on.”

Overall: “An incredible, complex malt profile that challenges the senses but is still delightful to drink, and overall a good beer that has some complexity throughout. It’s woody, cinnamon, earthy, and roasty, with tobacco—like chewing a cigar while eating a chocolate-covered raisin.”

What our editors thought


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